"Police to conduct full SAR search for missing 33 year old man in Christchurch"

This weekend Canterbury Police Search and Rescue (SAR) and Specialist Search teams will conduct a thorough search of the Linwood area where 33 year old Hayden COSSEY was last seen, on Friday 5 December 2014.

A large team (approximately 40 people) of Canterbury Police SAR, Dogs and Handlers and volunteers from Canterbury LandSAR will begin their search in the Linwood area first thing tomorrow morning (Saturday 20 December 2014). Mid morning tomorrow a helicopter with Canterbury Police SAR observers on board will fly over open areas of land and near watercourses in the search area. If Mr COSSEY is not located the search area will be extended to include the Bromley and New Brighton areas in Christchurch. The volunteer members of the search team have had specialist training in search techniques and routinely take part in Police led SAR operations such as this.

Police ask businesses in the eastern suburbs to check any outbuildings for any signs of the man before they lock up for the summer break this afternoon. Police urge anyone who has seen or heard from Mr COSSEY to contact them urgently.

Mr COSSEY was reported missing by his family on 7 December 2014. Since then Canterbury Police have interviewed his family, his two flat mates and witnesses who have reported possible sightings of the man in an effort to narrow down a potential search area. Unfortunately investigations, initial searches and reported sightings have not yet resulted in Mr COSSEY being located.

Mr COSSEY is described as European, 187 cm tall, medium build with short brown hair. At the time of his disappearance he was believed to be in good health with no known medical conditions and his family say it is out of character for him to not be in regular contact with them.

He was last seen in Eastgate Mall at approximately 1pm on 5 December 2014 wearing a black hoodie with an square orange design on the back, white t-shirt, black jeans, dark shoes with sunglasses on his head. Mr COSSEY is not believed to have access to a car and it is not known whether he has changed his clothes since the last confirmed sighting at the mall.

Police understand from Mr COSSEY’s family that he moved to Christchurch from Auckland a few weeks ago to take up work related to the rebuild. He has not been in contact with his employer, Mercer Stainless, or returned to work since he left approximately 30 minutes after he arrived at 7.15am on Friday morning (5 December 2014). He is not thought to know the area very well and family members visited Christchurch last week/weekend to help Police canvas the area where he was last seen.

Police and Mr COSSEY’s family have very serious concerns for his wellbeing and ask anyone who has seen or heard from him to contact Police urgently by calling 03 363 7670.

Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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